Ipswich/Wetherden: Brave driver hailed after she climbed into wreckage of teenager’s crashed car to comfort him while they awaited arrival of emergency services

Electra Peart and Harry Wilding. Electra received a police award for staying with Harry following a car collision.

Teenager Harry Wilding has good reason to thank Electra Peart for being in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing.

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Electra Peart receives her Certificate of Appreciation

Miss Peart came to the 18-year-old’s rescue when he sustained serious injuries in a single-vehicle crash on a country road.

The 30-year-old’s actions in comforting Mr Wilding in the aftermath of the collision were rewarded by Suffolk Constabulary during the annual awards ceremony.

Miss Peart, of Alan Road in Ipswich, was travelling along the road near Wetherden in October to pick up a friend’s child from school, until she spotted the accident scene and saw Mr Wilding, of Norton in the vehicle.

Miss Peart contacted police and the ambulance service and then climbed into the car, which had also been badly damaged, and spent time trying to comfort and reassure Harry before the emergency services arrived.

In recognition of her work, Miss Peart was awarded the Chief Constable’s certificate of appreciation.

Speaking after receiving the award, Miss Peart said: “It was nice to be recognised. I think it was about being in the right place at the right time, but it was lovely (to get the award).

“I feel quite protective of Harry now.”

Mr Wilding, who is hoping to go to the London School of Economics to study history, said he feels very lucky that Miss Peart was driving along the road when she did as it is not well used.

It was initially thought he could spend up to nine months in hospital because of the severity of his injuries, but he ended up needing about six weeks receiving treatment before he was released.

He said: “I think her award is very well deserved.

“Far too often I think people just drive by. I think I was lucky the first person that came along was so kind hearted.”

Dramatic increases in the average age of people in Suffolk have been highlighted in a report which reveals that in some areas nearly one in 10 are expected to be aged 85 or over in the next two decades.